The funding is part of the NSW government’s Stronger Community Funds program, which delivered a cash boost to 33 community projects across the Murrumbidgee Council region after the first round of successful funding grants were announced earlier in the month.

The Murrumbidgee Council Administrator, Austin Evans, said the funds will help groups contribute to the community’s long term vibrancy and viability across Darlington Point, Coleambally and Jerilderie.

With projects ranging from $4250 to $50,000, Coleambally Central School (CCS) was the successful recipient of a $50,000 cash boost aimed at building a new sandpit, complete with a water trough, and the resurfacing of the existing basketball court.

The school’s P&C treasurer Monika Burgess said the school and the P&C were delighted when they learnt they were successful grant recipients.

They aim to begin work in the school holidays.

“We were overjoyed to be a grant recipient, as it will be a great benefit to the school and we are very grateful to council for considering us, it means we can provide the children at the school an improved learning and sport environment,” Mrs Burgess said.

“This grant is very important, it’s going to make a huge difference, at the moment the kids can’t use the basketball court so a new one will be very important to their health and further their sporting skills.”

The new sandpit, which will include a water trough for experiments, aims to benefit the primary students and help improve their mathematical skills and further their education. 

Mrs Burgess said both current and future students deserve adequate and improved facilities to ensure they have the best learning and sporting opportunities available. 

“There are about 240 students attending Coleambally Central School, if we can’t offer good facilities, we are in turn losing children,” she said.

“Hopefully this grant will keep the school attractive to future students.”